Report: Justifiable homicides in Texas on rise

HOUSTON (AP) - A newspaper analysis says justifiable killings in Texas have steadily increased since the state expanded its version of a stand-your-ground law in 2007.

The Houston Chronicle reported Monday (http://bit.ly/Odep6I ) that a review of FBI data showed the number of justifiable killings in Texas under the law increased from 32 in 2006 to 48 in 2010.

About half of the killings occurred in the Houston area. Dallas, with nine, and San Antonio, with eight, also showed increases.

The law, known as the Castle Doctrine, was revised to expand the right to use deadly force. It allows people to defend themselves in their homes, workplaces or vehicles. It also says a person using force cannot provoke the attacker or be involved in criminal activity at the time.

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